The Albury-Wodonga Spitfires women suffered two losses in their home double-header against Central at Albury Hockey Centre across the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Saturday's clash saw Central's class prevail to down the Border side 5-2.
A four-goal second term from the visitors proved the diffidence at the final siren.
Kate O'Keefe, Madi Dooley, Emma Baxter and Tori Karabin all found the back of the net for Central in that period, with Ange McDonald pulling one back for the hosts who had it all to do after the main break.
The Spitfires played their best hockey in the third quarter as Chloe Jones closed the gap to two with a tap in from close range.
Kate Reynolds also had a chance to make it 4-3, but narrowly missed across the face of goal.
Central steadied in the final quarter, with a second from Karabin putting the result beyond doubt.
"The second quarter was what won it for them," Spitfires coach Matt Davis said.
"They finished well and we were probably a little bit off.
"A lot of it was when we were throwing turnovers to them and they were getting us at the back with those quick passes.
"We tried to limit those turnovers in the second half and that started to help.
"The passing and the movement was a lot better and we had a bit more energy about us in that second half.
"They defended really well, but we threw a fair bit at them."
ALSO IN SPORT:
Jackleene Macarthur was the Spitfires best on the day, showing her versatility in different roles on the pitch.
"She was pretty dominant and gave effort everywhere," Davis said.
"She started up forward, but after the second quarter when they got the goals I moved her back a bit to try strengthen us a bit in the midfield."
Central backed up with a narrow 2-0 win on Sunday.
Davis admitted he would have liked a few more points on the board, but believes the group has come a long way during the campaign.
The women's ladder after round 13 is: Tuggeranong 31, ANU 29, Central 27, United 25, Old Canberrans 23, St Patrick's 22, Goulburn 13, Albury-Wodonga 8, University of Canberra 8, North Canberra 3.
Meanwhile, the Spitfires men moved back inside the top-four with an impressive 4-0 win against St Patrick's at Canberra's Watt Field on Saturday.
Tim Smith netted a double, with Kurt Beath and Oscar Smart also on target.
The men's ladder after round 13 is: Wests 33, Central 31, Goulburn 24, Albury-Wodonga 19, Old Canberrans 18, United 13, St Patrick's 7, ANU 7.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here